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Archive for the ‘Ghosts’ Category

Namaskar,
Fear is an extremely debilitating ailment. Yet we see this fear vrtti imposed on the minds of our youths through various festivals like Halloween as well as through the mega-pseudo culture industry of Hollywood movies, Disney’s Ghost House, scary stories, television programs, video games, and haunted houses etc. These points were discussed in a prior letter – see link below.

Here we must understand however that it is not just the entertainment business and common social festivals that are at fault. That is not the only way that fear is imposed on the impressionable minds of our children. The imposition of fear also comes directly from family members – and this can haunt a child their entire life.

ORDINARY FAMILIES IMPOSE

SCARE TACTICS AS DISCIPLINE

Here is Baba’s teaching – the transcription of Baba’s actual voice – where He warns how even family members impose a fear complex on young ones. This is from His 01 January 1986 discourse in Kolkata, “Existential Flow & Its Culminating Point”.

“Hatred, doubt, fear are sin. When you were small, you did not hate anybody. After that your neighbors, friends and family members taught you, “This is what hate is, don’t do such a thing.” They taught you fear, they taught you shyness, and in the end those interactions stained your mind in that color. The small babe did not want to drink the milk. So in order to get the baby to drink the milk, the family members said, “Look a ghost is on the palm tree – it will come and get you if you do not drink your milk.” So you drank the milk out of fear of being caught by the ghost. After many years, when you were no longer two, but became twenty-two years of age, that mental ghost still existed in your mind. From time to time in your dreams you will still see that ghost. In consequence, while remaining in a lonely place your heart will become startled and frozen due to fear of that ghost. What is this? Imposed bondage. This type of bondage or these bondages are known as pa’shas.” (Existential Flow & Its Culminating Point)

SIMILAR EXAMPLES

And verily throughout His discourses, Baba discusses and points out examples where families and caretakers use a fear complex as a means to control or discipline children. Here are some similar examples:

[A] If the kids are playing and making too much noise when it is their bed time, then a parent or caretaker may say, “If you do not go to sleep this instant, then monsters will come and attack you.”

[B] Or they may say, “Naughty children are bound to get eaten by goblins.”

[C] Some even exclaim, “If you do not behave, Satan will punish you forever.”

[D] Various adult family members may tell children that, “Ghosts will come and strangle you if you do not sit still.”

[E] Plus, if a child is not eating its meal, then the grandmother may try to instill fear in that child’s mind. The grandma terrorizes the child by saying, “If you do not eat your meal, then a ghost will come and swallow you. So sit down and eat and do not run around.”

Tragically, this type of talk by a grandma, parent, or caretaker terrifies the child – to the very bone. The child’s mind becomes weak, fragile, and filled with the notion of their impending doom. The child thinks that at any moment they will be attacked by a goblin.

WHY IT IS SO SCARY FOR THE CHILD

For adults, such statements are not scary; but for the child, they are absolutely frightening. Because the child does not have experience in the world. What they are told by their parents, care-takers, and guardians, they take to be real. In that case, the child becomes truly terrified when told that they will be eaten by ghosts, or that when the lights get turned off then monsters will attack them etc.

Even worse, the fear does not begin and end there – it lingers and festers in the child’s mind for years and years. Even when that child grows to 22 years of age or even 78 years of age, they still have nightmares about a goblin coming and sitting on his chest. Baba explains this clearly in His discourse.

A COMMON AILMENT

To some or more degree, such imposed fear complexes are used in countless families around the world. It is a misguided parenting technique that is commonly employed, unfortunately. Think back to your own childhoods and see if you remember being told such events.

Why is this tactic used so pervasively from one land to the next? Because the parent or caregiver naively thinks that the problem is solved – that they got an easy fix. They think that the child has started to behave properly or that the child stopped making noise. So the parent thinks that the fear technique is a veritable method for disciplining a child and restoring order.

However, this is a very harmful approach. Both the short & long-term effects are disastrous. There is a breach of trust and even more than that the child’s mind is immediately and permanently scarred by that fear. It cannot be removed easily. That fear literlly paralyzes them in that very moment. But it does not stop at that point. Rather, that very fear hauntingly sits in the child’s mind for ages, and may even carry over into their next life. That is the depth to which the imposed fear invades their psyche.

So such unfounded fears that get imposed on a child’s mind ruin the child’s peace of mind in the present and become psychic baggage for the long haul.

Indeed, the consequences of terrifying the child in this way are ghastly. This is the wrong way to discipline a child. Yet certain parents and guardians repeat such threat again and again, thereby cementing the fear in the mind of the child and ultimately crippling them.

MORE ABOUT FEAR

Bhaya, or fear, is one of the four basic propensities – along with sleep (nidra), food (ahara), and procreation (maethuna) – of each and every human being. This sense of fear is actually a survival instinct. Animals have it; humans have it. So we already have a sense of fear built into our human personality.

But that innate sense of fear is based on reality – i.e. physical fear. Animals are fearful of their predators so they run away for safety. The fear is real and that fear preserves their existence.

Here the point is that the fundamental fear vrtti is already part of our constitution – it is a base instinct, not something noble or divine. But, at least, it is based on reality, i.e. physically dangerous situations. That helps prevent people from getting hurt etc.

In contrast, fears imposed on the human psyche are just a burden, i.e. imposed samskaras. Those multiply as people harbour those fears. As children, so many false or imaginary fears are imposed in the psychic realm. As those fears mount they severely shackle and even cripple the person.

As aspirants, we are to ultimately overcome all such fears, and aim all our psychic momentum unto Him. So these fear can be eliminated through deep, devotional sadhana.

HOW IMAGINARY FEARS BECOME REAL

Here below Baba further explains the nature of this phenomenon.

“You are the witnessing entity, you are the seer of the ghost, and a certain compartment of your mind went outside as an external projection and took the form of the ghost, that is, the very structure of the ghost is ectoplasmic in nature and that ectoplasm came from your source. You are the creator of that ghost. Actually there is no ghost. But you will see many a respectable man who will say, “Yes, I have seen it! Yes, I have seen it!” He is not incorrect in saying this. He saw it, but the ghost was of his creation. It was an outer or external objective reflection, or external objective projection, or external positive hallucination.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam-12)

“Suppose in daytime you are in a lonely place. It may or may not be a lonely place. Suppose in daytime you are alone in a big house, and some people told you that there is a ghost – “Ghost, ghost, ghost.” You heard it. The acoustic wave touched your mind, touched the subconscious portion of your mind, and after that you are told, “You know, Mr. X, there is a ghost in this house.” And you are Mr. X. “There is a ghost in this house.” All the nerve fibres fail to function. What will happen then? Just touch the conscious level of your mind, and as an extro-objective creation, as an external reflection of your very ectoplasmic stuff, you will see a ghost. And what sort of ghost will you see? The description of a ghost that you read in your books or you heard from your granny, “A ghost is like this.” In broad daylight you will see the ghost.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam-12)

So the human mind is very fragile and subject to all kinds of fears – even false ones that we hear in the form of ghost stories, etc.

No one should take this point lightly and think that scaring children is just one momentary incident. Any and all fear has a huge impact on their psyche. They will be terrified in that very moment and compromised even crippled for life. We should all pay heed. That is Baba’s warning.

FEAR VRTTI MULTIPLIES

What people may not realise is that when they impose a fear complex on a child, then they are multiplying the fear vrtti itself.

“The human propensities that operate in the mundane sphere are five in number: áhár [food], nidrá [sleep], bhaya [fear], maethuna [begetting progeny] and dharma sádhaná [spiritual practice]. Of these five, only the first four play a part in the lives of animals. The peculiar nature of these five propensities is this: if they are given indulgence, they increase. And they easily come under control with a slight effort; only in the initial stage, one must struggle a little to control them.” (Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva’s Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 16))

Thus, by encouraging fear in the young child, then that very fear vrtti gets stimulated and can consume a child’s entire existence. It will crop up in all kinds of ways, in countless situations. Because already on a regular basis the child is disciplined via the imposition of a fear complex. As that complex gets reinforced again and again, it takes up permanent residence in the mind of the child – and grows. It erodes the child’s existence in all aspect of life.

The child fearfully thinks, “I can’t do that”, “If I turn my back I will be attacked, “Ghosts will get me”, “I will be swallowed up in the darkness”, “Making a class presentation is too scary”, “I cannot go to that job interview”, etc etc. The child will literally be stricken with fear in all kinds of situations – from the fear of the dark to the fear of the unknown.

It is just like if a banyan tree is allowed to grow inside the courtyard of a mansion, then one day that tree will become so huge it will destroy the mansion itself. Same is the case with harmful vrttis like fear. If encouraged and given scope to grow, they will devour the entire human personality.

The end result is that instead of raising a fearless child that is ready to stand up to all kinds of difficulties, one raises a coward that is scared – nay terrified – in every aspect and encounter of life.

SOLUTION:

CREATING A FEARLESS MIND

Baba has graciously given us – at minimum – two pathways for creating and cultivating a fearless mind-set.

1) We must not pollute the minds of children by imposing fear sentiments.

“It is important that these lullabys should convey the inspiration for the development of heroism and knowledge, but there should be no frightening ideas in them.” (Prout in a Nutshell-10)

Thus our stories, films, festivals, disciplinary tactics, tales, holidays should be completely devoid of scary thoughts and images. Children should feel safe, secure, and loved – never burdened by any imposed or false fear.

That is the first method for raising a healthy child.

2) The second method is to read Baba’s short stories wherein He has graciously written various ghost stories where those ghosts are friendly and helpful. Sometimes the ghost sweetly drapes a mosquito net over a sleeping person so that they will be more comfortable. Or the ghost will bring a glass of water or offer shelter to a needy person. Basically, in so many of His stories, ghosts and other creatures are quite friendly and philanthropic. This helps create a positive mind-set wherein one will not fall prey to dogmatic fears about ghosts. Today’s filmmakers and story writers should also follow this path.

This is a second method for raising children free of fear complexes.

CONCLUSION

We should be 100% wary of introducing false fears into the mind-set of our children. Thus we must re-evaluate occasions like Halloween and other fear-based festivals, and we must be vigilant not to let our children be adversely affected by the entertainment industry which makes billions of dollars by scaring children etc. Also of critical importance is that we must ensure that our children are never exposed to fear tactics as a form of discipline. With the gift of a safe and happy childhood, that young one will grow up and live a courageous and dharmic life.

“One must move along the path of satya and one must have the satya as one’s only desideratum. And this is the only path, this is the path of fearlessness; that is, there is no fear in it, nothing to be afraid of.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam – 2)

Namaskar,
Varun

Note 1: PHYSICAL FEAR VS. PSYCHIC FEAR

The fear that grips animals is physical fear, not psychic fear. They do no suffer from nightmares or hallucinations, nor are they fearful about what will happen tomorrow etc. They are fearful for their life when confronted by predators etc. That is their fear.

Humans also harbour fears as survival instincts. “I am too scared to jump off of this bridge”; “I am scared and do not want to grab the snake; “I am too scared to walk into the fire.” These types of fears are ones we are born with as the are related with our very existence. Such as if an elephant is running towards you then you will run away to save your life.

In contrast, unlike animals, humans suffer from a multitude of psychic fears that are imposed. These fears do not protect one’s existence but rather hinder one’s growth. That is why imposed fears are a bondage as they shackle the psyche. Such fears include the fear of ghosts, goblins, fear of the future, fear of losing friends, fear of failure etc. People suffer from so many psychic fears that are imposed. And that is what this entire letter is about.

O’ Parama Purusa, by mistake, anyhow You have lost the path and come to my home. I do not believe in fate or fortune. And this I also know: That I do not have any wealth or virtue. Your auspicious arrival is simply due to Your grace. You graced me by coming to my home – Your arrival has nothing to do with my quality.

O’ Parama Purusa, You have come here to change the burning desert into greenery. You have come to revitalise dried-up, half-dead plants and transform them into blossoming flowers and luscious fruits. O’ my Lord, with Your arrival, everyone has gotten new life. Those who were depressed and hopeless, You graciously brought a smile to their face and placed a song in their throat. By this way, You decorated them with a garland of jewels.

Baba, now I understand that only You are mine; I do not have anyone else. Except You, there is none that I can say is mine. What I have and what belongs to me, everything is Your causeless grace. I think You thought all these things and You deliberately made a mistake in order to come here to my little hut. You made this mistake knowingly and with full awareness.

Baba, You have come to my place; You have graced me. It is due to nothing else than Your causeless grace that You have come…

This email is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: How to Cure Oneself of Nightmares
(2) Trailer Quote: Misunderstanding about Non-Aryans

== HOW TO CURE ONESELF OF NIGHTMARES ==

Note: This is an important letter and the title itself is significant. All too often people think that nightmares come from outside themselves. So they say, “I need to get rid of these nightmares.” But in Ananda Marga we know that nightmares are a product of our own mind – they stem from inside the mind. So just as one does not get rid of heart disease but rather cures oneself of it – since the problem lies within, similarly, we do not get rid of nightmares, we cure ourselves of them. Because nightmares result from a defect within our own mind – from within our own being. And this is something which one can cure.

Namaskar,
Getting proper rest at night is an important part of the life cycle. Unfortunately, many people suffer from nightmares, bad dreams, and other psychic difficulties while “sleeping”. Actually what they are experiencing is not sleep per se, rather they are in a dream state. And this dream state disturbs both their physical and mental well-being.

As Ananda Margiis, we are working with all segments of the population as we implement Baba’s divine teachings. In this endeavour, we come across innumerable people who suffer from nightmares and bad dreams. This is especially so in this materialistic era when many are plagued by psychic problems.

So we should understand well the science behind their difficulties as well as the practical solution.

POOR PARENTING CAN CAUSE LIFELONG NIGHTMARES

As we begin this topic, here is a real-life scenario that is deeply related with this entire issue.

Whether it be in the remote village or an ultra-modern urban center, poor parenting techniques goad mothers and fathers to use fear tactics to discipline their child. They say things like, “If you do not eat your vegetables, then an ugly monster will bite you when you are not looking”, or they say, “If you do not behave, then so-called goblins will invade your bed when you are sleeping”. Most often parents are well-intentioned, but their approach proves disastrous. Their ploys have a deep-seated effect. This can often result in nightmares and fear complexes for the duration of one’s life. So every Ananda Margii should be aware about this as we address this issue of nightmares.

AN IMAGINED IMAGE DURING WAKING HOURS

In a step by step process, we should investigate how the mind works: Specifically why do nightmares have a much more dramatic effect on the mind than one’s imagination during waking hours.

Let’s say during waking hours you are thinking about a so-called ghost, or reading or watching a scary tale. At that time with the immediate support of one’s motor and sensory organs, that person will realise that their fear is unfounded. Because they will look, listen, touch and even smell all around, and rationally come to the conclusion that it was an imagined image. It is not real. So in a flash that problem fades from the mind and one will feel normal, as if nothing ever happened. So it really is not a big deal at all.

WHAT IS TRUE SLEEP

When one is truly sleeping, then the unconscious mind, kárańa mana or causal mind, is awake – and the conscious mind sleeps. In addition the subconscious layers (i.e. the mind which memorises the day to day events and has the power of recollection) of mind cease functioning. That is true sleep. In that case, both body and mind are getting perfect rest. Then one is in a dreamless state. This happens primarily during the first 2 or 3 hours of lying down.

Unfortunately, in this hyper-busy digital era, most spend very little time actually sleeping.

Suppose you are sleeping six hours and the first three you are in deep sleep. That time dreams do not come. After that when sleep is not very deep, the subconscious mind starts functioning. So many ideas and stories are stored in the subconscious mind. And they start streaming across your mental plate. At that time you feel that those stories are real. And you say, after awakening, that you have seen it in a dream.

AN IMAGINED IMAGE FEELS REAL

WHEN THE CONSCIOUS MIND CEASES TO FUNCTION

For most people, during the majority of their “sleep”, the subconscious mind is busy at work. Only the conscious mind ceases functioning. In that case, various images stream across one’s mental plate. And those images seem real because the conscious mind is not functioning. This is known as dreaming.

In other words during the daytime when you are thinking about so-called ghosts, it feels as though you are just imagining the scene. However during the night when in the dream state, that very imagined image seems completely real and one views that image or so-called ghost as reality. Hence you become terrified by the so-called ghost.

So that which you know to be nothing more than your imagination during daytime becomes very real and terrifying at night in a dream state. Why does this happen? Because during daytime, the conscious mind is working and one can verify with their motor and sensory organs what is real and what is not. Whereas during the nighttime the conscious mind is not working. And when the conscious mind is not working there is no verification process with the eyes and ears etc, so the imagined objects become our reality. Such is the power of those nightmares.

As a quick review, when we imagine the so-called ghost and so-called goblins during the daytime in wakeful state, we do not get terrified by them. The reason is very simple. The conscious mind is also at work, interacting with the physical world via the 10 motor and sensory organs. As noted above, this conscious mind can check anything going on all around to determine if it is real or imagined.

However, in the latter part of “sleep”, the subconscious mind projects an image onto the citta (one of the layers of mind) and one starts dreaming, then that dream becomes our living reality. Why? Because the conscious mind is not functioning. The mind is not interacting with the mundane world via the brain and 10 motor and sensory organs. In that case whatever one thinks, i.e. dreams, one experiences as reality.

One might dream that they are in a business meeting; or one might dream of playing a sport; or one might dream of falling from the sky, or one might dream of so many things. And those dreams that a really scary such as when one is confronted by so-called ghosts or robbers, then that is a nightmare. And one accepts that frightening experience as being real.

BABA’S EXAMPLE:

HOW OUR THOUGHTS DURING SLEEP BECOME REALITY

Indeed, in one discourse, Baba describes how one of his cousins would imagine football matches in his sleep and accept those games as being real.

“During sleep when his subconscious mind was functioning and not the conscious mind, the memory of the football match came alive on his mental plate. As the conscious mind was inactive, the subconscious mind could activate the nerve cells directly, so as soon as his vocal chord shouted “goal” his legs, in adjustment with rhythm of the nerve cells and fibre, kicked the ball into the goal. ” (1)

Here the whole point is that when the conscious mind (wakeful state) is not functioning, then the imagined image projected by the subconscious mind becomes so real such that even the physical body gets involved in that scene. That is why dreams can have such a dramatic effect.

MORE ABOUT HOW NIGHTMARES OCCUR

During sleep one might think of so many things: Visiting a certain place, talking to a particular friend, eating a favorite food – so many images might flash in the mental plate that one accepts as being real.

And when those images are of something scary then we call that dream a nightmare. It might be a monster, a serial killer, a so-called ghost, a so-called goblin, a robber, or a ravenous tiger. When we are faced with such horrifying images during our “sleep” due to the activity of the subconscious mind, then we are tortured by those dreams. Even though they are imagined, they are extremely frightening for us because the conscious mind is not active. Because this is not active that is why imagined objects look real i.e. a so-called ghost, a so-called goblin, a robber, or a ravenous tiger.

This happens to so many people and they become terrified. Not only are they scared while dreaming, but the whole next day as well – even for months or even years after. And it can happen for many reasons. A nightmare might be based on something they saw during the day or it might result from an experience as a child. In any case, the mind has been negatively affected and it projects that image during the time of sleep.

“You may have encountered yet another type of demoniacal possession, which does not weaken the conscious mind very much in the wakeful state; but during sleep such strength of mind does not exist, and as a result during sleep, while lying on his back, the person sees a nightmare of an imaginary so-called ghost sitting on his chest. Dreaming is an act of the sub-conscious mind. In the dream state the imaginary so-called ghost of the sub-conscious mind takes form beautifully and repeats verbatim to him the language of his imagination. In the dreamful state he feels stupefied with fear, due to this excessive stupefaction he starts groaning, and people take it to be demoniacal possession. Thus what is generally called a “nightmare”, is usually the vision of a person whom the dreamer had oppressed in the past and whom the weak-minded oppressor now “sees” after that person’s death.” (2)

Such nightmares are so scary that anyone can get affected. For instance, even an Olympic champion boxer may lie down at night and face all kinds of fears and demons while “sleeping” as those dreams become a reality, irrespective of one’s age or worldly status. That nightmare might occur simply because of what one was told as a child, or because of a horror movie, or for some other reason. And these nightmares might plague and disturb a person for their entire life.

FINDING THE CURE

Now that we have investigated what dreams are and how they occur, it is critical that we understand how Baba says we can cure this problem. After all, dreams, nay nightmares, can really plague a person. They can deprive one of sleep and leave one feeling frightened.

Here following then are some of Baba prescribed remedies for curing oneself of nightmares.

PHYSICAL REMEDIES

In the physical sphere there are a few things that can be done:

1. Don’t eat food late at night or sleep on a full belly: When undigested food remains in the stomach at night, then gas forms and that air rises and creates pressure. In result, the mind is affected and scary dreams, or nightmares, often result. Best then is to finish one’s evening meal 2 – 3 hrs before sleep. Going for a short walk after the evening meal is also advisable. Then the food will be properly digested when one goes to bed. That is one way to help combat nightmares on the physical plane.

2. Be sure to sleep on the left side: The best way to sleep is on the left side as that ensures proper digestion. As Baba says the right nostril must be open for proper digestion and that is what happens when one lies on the left side. In contrast, the worst position for sleeping is on the right side as that effectively blocks the right nostril. Sleeping on the back and stomach are also to be avoided. One way to keep from sleeping on the back is to tie something uncomfortable object there – such as an apple-sized rock covered with a cloth – that prevents one from rolling onto their back. In a short while one will get habituated and one will naturally keep off the back and sleep on the left side. In addition during sleep do not keep your hand on your chest as you might think that is one so-called ghost sitting on your chest.

All of the above are Baba’s guidelines from His discourses and reportings.

PSYCHIC REMEDIES

In the psychic plane, there are a few things one can do that will cure one from having nightmares.

First, in the hours just prior to going to bed, do not watch or see negative movies or films and thereby pollute your subconscious mind. In that case those horrifying scenes will bring nightmares. So the best thing is to engage in quiet, peaceful and sentient pursuits – like kiirtana, sadhana, and Prabhat Samgiita – in the hours leading up to bed.

Secondly, one should avoid any arguments or heated discussions just prior to going to bed. Those thoughts and feelings will then create disturbances in the mind during sleep.

The main thing to be aware of is that the conscious mind should not knowingly be involved in degrading or distrubing activities (movies, scary stories etc) directly before bed. And best is to avoid those things entirely. Then the subconscious mind will not be plagued by such thoughts or images during the night.

SPIRITUAL REMEDIES

In the spiritual field also there are practices to be done that will cure oneself from nightmares.

Singing kiirtan directly before going to bed will purify the mind and create a sentient vibration. In that case one will not be disturbed by foul or frightening thoughts during the night.

Secondly, doing mantra japa with one’s ista mantra will certainly elevate the mind above all such lowly thoughts that might create nightmares. The mantras in Ananda Marga are siddha mantras – they have been charged by Sadguru – so repeating one’s ista mantra will certainly cure the mind of all troubles like nightmares etc.

Thirdly, regular sadhana practice of all six lessons will further bring the mind into a positive track. During sadhana, the entire mind is cleansed and bathed. In that case, the subconscious mind is bound to be spiritually vibrated during the night.

The absolute final solution is to do sadhana in a dark cemetery during the night – alone. This type of sadhana will cure one of all such fears. That is the final solution and can be learned from an acarya.

ONE FINAL NOTE

One last thought on this topic is that one should firmly understand that there is no such thing as ghosts and goblins. They do not exist. Therefore any nightmare about ghosts, goblins or any such monster or supernatural being is baseless and irrational. If a person can understand this in the depth of their mind, then that will go a long way in curing oneself of nightmares.

GHOSTS DO NOT EXIST

In the preface to His book, “Strange Experiences”, Baba clearly tells that He does not believe in ghosts and refutes their existence entirely.

“Let me state at the very outset that I am not a believer in ghosts and spirits, demons and devils, or heaven and hell, because I have found no logic behind their existence. I know that whether ghosts and spirits or demons and devils, everything which bears the imprint of the supernatural is only the play of the mind. The appearance and disappearance of such things takes place in the various kos’as [layers] of the mind due to variations or possible variations in physical or mental circumstances.” (3)

In His above teaching, Baba further explains that the entire “ghost” phenomenon occurs within one’s own psyche. As Baba says, it is just a “play of [one’s own] mind”.

Then in the Q & A discourse, “Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Section B”, Baba directly asks and answers this question about ghosts.

“Q. 56 Do ghosts really exist?”

“Ans.: – Those strange figures which we call ghosts are mainly figments of the imagination. When the mind is in a weak or vulnerable state, what was previously created in the imagination now appears to be real.” (4)

So in the above query, Baba tells that not only are ghosts imagined by one’s own mind but that such so-called apparitions tend to occur with unit minds that are “weak” and “vulnerable”.

And finally, Baba issues this most conclusive statement.

Baba says, “Ghosts do not exist.” (5)

Thus under no circumstances should anyone be led to believe or think that Baba or His philosophy supports the existence of ghosts.

“THIS TYPE OF DREAM WE MAY CALL A SUPRAMENTAL VISION”

Baba says, “There is still another type of dream. Even when people are in a deep slumber, there may arise in their sub-conscious minds through their dreams, the prognosis of some good news or bad news, or even a huge calamity. The all-knowing causal or unconscious mind usually cannot express its all-knowingness due to the unsteadiness of the conscious and sub-conscious minds as well as due to its own expressional inability, but sometimes it can awaken in the calm conscious and sub-conscious minds of people in deep slumber visions of past, present or future and those visions overwhelm the sleepers minds. A surging vibrational flow emanating from the fountain head of the unconscious mind and vibrating the sub-conscious mind, is also a sort of dream; and that dream is not insignificant for its cause is the all-knowing causal mind. This type of dream we may call a supramental vision. Sometimes even in the wakeful state the cognitive flow of the unconscious mind penetrates into the subtle mind, as the result of which people even in the wakeful state, with a little concentration, can know events concerning their distant near and dear ones, this is called telepathic vision. Through the concentrated state of this telepathic vision, when conscious mind is more calm and sedate, people can visualize events concerning their distant beloved ones, enacted before their eyes in the external world or feel as if they are seeing them; this is called telepathic clairvoyance. Mistaking such acts as those of spirits many people come to believe in spiritism or spiritology. Truly speaking such incidents have no connection at all with spirits or ghosts. Telepathic vision and telepathic clairvoyance are intrinsically the same as supramental vision. They are born of the inspiration of the unconscious mind, the knower of the universe. To believe in ghosts and spirits is merely to perpetuate the cowardly mentality of the pre-historic people. But compared to supramental vision, the incidence of telepathic vision is very much less frequent, and still less is the occurrence of telepathic clairvoyance due to the activeness of the Kámamaya Kośa or the conscious mind. Nevertheless the supramental vision itself does not occur more than 8 to 10 times in the life of a person. The greater or lesser frequencies of such experiences wholly depends on ones sádhaná (intuitional practices) or saḿskáras (reactive requitals). (One, however, must bear I mind that self-acquired telepathy or self-acquired clairvoyance is something different.) (6)

If you want to read more details on this subject please read Ananda Marga Philosophy, Intuitional Science of Vedas-5 and Faculty of Knowledge-3. If you do not have either one of these discourses than kindly let us know.

MORE ABOUT THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

What is the subconscious mind? It is that part of the mind which memorises the day to day events. This aspect of mind is our power of recollection. With this subconscious mind you can remember your friends, what you ate yesterday, what you did 10 days back or 10 minutes back. Everything is stored in the subconscious mind. This subconscious mind does not need help from the indriyas, i.e. sensory and motor organs, to re-create stored images in the mind. For instance, even if your grandmother lives 100 miles away, with your subconscious mind you will be able to visualise your grandmother in your mind. The motor and sensory organs are not needed.

Without the help of the the subconscious mind we cannot do anything substantial because one will not have the required memory or knowledge. One will not even remember one second into the past. One will forget.

The conscious mind only works with the help of motor and sensory organs. When those organs are not functioning the conscious mind cannot do anything. It does not store any information. When you saw the monkey at the store then it is the subconscious mind that memorises that image. Later on when you tell your story about the monkey with the help of the subconscious mind then you will be able to clearly visualise that monkey in your mind.

“TO DREAM IS TO THINK WHILE SLEEPING”

“It has been said, “When a person creates a kingdom in his dream…” What is a dream? To dream is to think while sleeping….”

“During sleep these thoughts, in the absence of contact with the hard realities of the external world, appear to be real. Thus people who are not at all affected in the waking state by propensities of fear, anger, etc., may be deeply affected by them during dreams; because, as I said earlier, in the waking state, people know that they are imagining; but during sleep, they do not realize that the play of their imagination is going on. So during that period their dream-thoughts become hard reality for them.”

“During the time of waking, because there is much resistance from the external reality, there is not much speed of imagination; but during sleep, in the absence of this resistance, there is great acceleration. Within one second people can imagine a vast epic like the Mahábhárata. Sometimes during dreams the dreamers, propelled by such propensities as anger or greed, restlessly move their limbs about. If those moving limbs come in contact with any hard object, the imaginary dream is broken, the dreamer’s sleep is disrupted and the dreamy fantasy woven in nets of imagination comes abruptly to an end.” (7)

“WHY PEOPLE DO NOT ALWAYS DREAM IN THEIR SLEEP”

“Dreaming means thinking or recollecting during sleep. Now the first question that arises is this: Why do people not always think or recollect during sleep? During the wakeful state, people are always thinking or recollecting. Even when people meditate in the wakeful state, they are thinking of, or recollecting, Supreme Consciousness. In the waking state, the mind never remains inactive. Then why does it not always dream during sleep?”

“The answer is, the sleeping state means a state of rest for the mind. But if, before or at the time of sleep, one is tormented with deep sorrow, or becomes overjoyed with extreme happiness, or is afflicted with a serious disease, or is brooding over imaginary pains and pleasures – then during sleep if the gases in the body rise and create vibrations in the nerve cells, one starts thinking and recollecting. That is why people do not always dream during every sleep.” (8)

MEETING BABA IN DREAM

“In the lives of many people, a time may come when their days are full of the thorns of miseries, but at night, during dream, they transcend their pains and pleasures. Then, meeting their Iśt́a in dream, they beam with joy and laughter in the ocean of bliss. All the sufferings and sorrows of their lives, great or small, merge into that indescribable ocean of bliss. Those who experience this type of dream are truly fortunate.”

“Even in the waking state their lives are drenched in the drowsy sweetness of that dreamy atmosphere, and then in their lives, that dream becomes a reality. As a result, the waking state for them becomes meaningless.”

“Then cannot those dreamy persons do any good to the society? Yes, certainly they can, and in a better way. This state of drowsiness is not dullness or crudeness; rather it is the golden opportunity to fully utilize one’s existence by touching the feet of Táraka Brahma, as long as there is life.” (9)

“MAINTAINING A BALANCED MIND”

By Baba’s grace, we have all the tools and teachings to lead a balanced life – free from all complexes and fears, including nightmares. We should help others in this regard as well.

“Maintaining a balanced mind is one of the greatest virtues. There are no complexes in a balanced mind. One neither feels inferior nor superior to others; one never fears anybody nor ever gets perturbed. One maintains a mental balance.” (10)

“In the Vedic era, the Aryans used to steal food grains and animals from the non-Aryans to perform their sacrifices and rituals (yajinas). In retaliation, groups of non-Aryans used to attack the Aryans to recover their possessions while they were performing their rituals. These attacks were grossly distorted in the Vedas, which gives the impression that the Aryans were good while the non-Aryans were evil. In fact, the non-Aryans were forced to attack the Aryans to recover their food to ensure their survival. Did the non-Aryans do anything bad? No, they did the right thing.” (PNS-16, p.56)

In India, even today the common public thinks in dogmatic way. That Asuras were destroying the yajina of Aryans. Because of their evil nature. And they believe that Asuras are some type of special creature who has very long teeth and dangerous claws like lions, and horns on their head. And very terrible face. This type of mythological story is propagated. But actually, Asuras were none else than indigenous Indians, people of those days. They were the original inhabitants of India, living there prior to the invasion of Aryans. And nowadays, even today they are condemned as so-called low-caste creatures, by so-called upper-caste people. These Asuras are the unjustly treated community known as harijans which are regarded by upper caste people as so despicable and low. But actually, these are the indigenous people of India.
******************************************

Namaskar,
The following letter addresses various psychic diseases and their cure. In the life of a sadakha, a disease-free mind is essential. If one suffers from any psychic disease they should try to remove it so they can move forward properly. Otherwise, that mental disease will impede their progress.

Fortunately, if anyone practices sadhana regularly, their psychic disease(s) will naturally dissipate and disappear. If anyone is deeply involved in meditation and doing very good sadhana, by His grace, then their psychic disease will quickly be removed from the mind.

The tricky part is that the mind burdened by a psychic disease cannot do deep sadhana; that is the problem. Hence, psychological training in the form of auto-suggestion and outer suggestion is needed to get rid of the disease. And that is what is discussed below.

SHE SAW A GHOST AND DIED

“I had a certain acquaintance whose garden was quite large. One night his wife thought she saw a ghost in a corner of the garden. In Bihar, a female ghost is called “cuŕeil” in Hindi. At the sight of the imagined ghost she cried out in fear, and fainted. She never regained consciousness and died some time later. The next night the same gentleman came out of his house at the same time. He also thought he saw the ghost. “Why should people have to die one after the other in this way?” he thought. Stepping forward to strike at the imaginary ghost with a stick, he suddenly saw that it was nothing but a bush which, in the moonlight, looked just like a human being. His wife had died for nothing, terrified by the deceptive image of a bush. Most so-called ghosts are like this. Towards the end of the rainy season rotting vegetation often gives out a gas, called marsh gas or will-o’-the-wisp, which bursts into flame when it comes in contact with oxygen. This burning gas may easily be taken to be a ghost. This is how a fear complex can develop.” (1)

“The defeatist complex also strikes deep in the human mind. “How will I possibly be able to do the work? How will I be able to fight against such heavy odds? How will I be able to do my job properly?” Because people think like this before they act, they are unable to do their work properly. The defeatist complex weakens their minds. Had they been bolder they would have been more successful.” (1)

“One must uproot all sorts of complexes from the mind. No complex should be entertained in the physical, psychic or spiritual spheres because all are equally detestable.” (1)

HEADS WILL FALL BACKWARDS

“Due to a defective social order. Some people have to live like slaves in the society and thus suffer from a strong inferiority complex – their heads remain forever bowed – while others inherit vast wealth as well as family pride from their ancestors and keep their heads held so high that at times it appears as if it will fall backwards. These complexes are due to a defective social order. The complex is in the crude physical world and in the socio-economic strata.” (2)

“All are the progeny of Parama Puruśa. Even so, some people think that because they are endowed with less intellect, knowledge, financial capacity or physical strength than others, they are inferior. Such an inferiority complex contracts their minds and retards their progress. It must be overcome.” (1)

CAUSE OF DEFEATIST PSYCHOLOGY

“At the very outset, the fascist exploiters select a weak community which inhabits a region rich in natural resources. The fascists socially and culturally uproot the victimized community by imposing a foreign language and culture on them. Because the local people cannot easily express their individual and collective feelings and sentiments in a foreign language, they develop a defeatist psychology and inferiority complex with respect to the exploiters. This defeatist psychology destroys the natural spiritedness and will to fight of the local people, and the fascists skillfully utilize this golden opportunity. The primary interest of the fascist exploiters is to gradually suck the vitality of the local community so that they can pillage and plunder their natural resources, but if necessary they will even obliterate the local community from the face of the earth.” (3)

“A person must not suffer from an inferiority complex, because that person and his or her friends and siblings are all the progeny of the same Progenitor. They come from the same origin [as all]; they are of the same Father. So why should a person suffer from any inferiority complex? Again, you should not suffer from a superiority complex, because all are your brothers and sisters. All are the glorious children of that Supreme Father. No, you must not develop any superiority complex.” (4)

AN OLD WIDOW OF, SAY, 100 YEARS

“Nobody is unimportant, nobody is insignificant. Each and every existence is valuable. And the life of an old widow of, say, 100 years, is also not meaningless. Her existence also bears certain significance. If an ordinary ant dies a premature death, the equilibrium of the entire universe will be lost. Nobody is unimportant, so you must not develop the psychology of helplessness or hopelessness or defeatist complex or fear complex, because the Supreme Father, the Supreme noumenal entity is always with you.” (5)

“Why should you suffer from a fear complex or an inferiority complex, when the Supreme Father is your father, when you all are the children of the same Father; why should you suffer from any inferiority complex or any fear complex, when the Supreme Father is with you? You are not weak. You are very strong, because the Almighty Father, the omnipotent Supreme Father, is with you to help you – so you must not encourage the psychology of weakness, or an inferiority complex or a fear complex. He is with you, always He is with you to help you. You are never alone.” (6)

SOME SCRIPTURES ARE THE WORST ENEMY OF HUMAN SOCIETY

“In the field of spirituality there must not be any complex, neither fear complex nor shy complex nor any other complex. So the scriptures saying that if you do not obey Him you will go to Hell, like this, these scriptures are the worst enemy of human society. Because these scriptures create a complex, a fear complex, in the human mind, and that fear complex creates disparity in this human society.” (7)

FLOWER THAT DIES BEFORE IT BLOSSOMS

“There cannot be any complex in the spiritual level or existential sphere. In spirituality there is no complex because every person has contact with Parama Puruśa on a purely personal level. There is no third existence between them. There are only two – the spiritualist and the Parama Pitá [Cosmic Father]. Spiritualists move towards the Cosmic Father and sit on His lap. To do this is every one’s birthright. Nobody can be debarred from doing so on the pretext of inferior caste, colour, education or poverty. Since this is every one’s birthright there cannot be any complex in the arena of spirituality. The defective social order injects an inferiority complex in the mind which often persists even when people enter the spiritual field. They feel that as the Cosmic Father is so great, how can they, being of low caste or poor or uneducated, go to Him? This is called mahimnabodha in the shástras [scriptures]. But one should not forget that the relation of father and child exists. Even if the father is a great scholar, the uneducated child will go to him and ask for whatever he requires because he or she has affection for the father. Just now I said that in the field of spirituality there cannot be any complex, but there are complexes due to social defects. It is our spiritual duty to rectify the social order. If we fail, there may not be good spiritualists. Even those who have the potentiality to become good spiritualists may not progress. They may be like a flower that dies before it blossoms.” (2)

“I cannot allow this to happen. For this reason the theory of Prout has been given so that every person can progress speedily in the field of spirituality without any complex.” (2)

EVERYONE IS THE CHILD OF THE COSMIC FATHER

“In the existential sphere, too, there should not be any complex because everyone is the child of the Cosmic Father. If there is any superiority complex, it should be the common one that one is the child of the Cosmic Father who is so great, so potent. One may only have this superiority complex. Whatever people possess is given by the Cosmic Father and therefore no individual has the right to have a superiority complex. So in the existential sphere there is no reason for any complex to remain. In other words it can be said that there will be a common complex that all are the children of the Cosmic Father, no one being inferior and no one being superior.” (2)

CRIPPLED BY CREATING A TREMENDOUS COMPLEX

“Kabir and Mahaprabhu launched open revolts against the casteism which had kept Indian society crippled by creating a tremendous complex of self-aggrandizement in one section of society and a terrible inferiority complex in another section. Although Mahaprabhu had been born into a well-known Brahman family, he suffered many insults because of his opposition to casteism. Despite this he remained steadfast in his ideology.” (8)

YOU MUST NOT SAY, “OH, LORD, I AM A SINNER…”

“Now, in this process of spiritual march, march towards the spiritual nave, humanity sometimes for want of proper guidance was depraved, was degenerated, and under such circumstances it suffered from the psychology of sinning, a sinning complex. I told you that you must not say, “Oh, Lord, I am a sinner, I am a sinner,” because it will develop the psychology of sinning. If you are not actually a sinner, you will be a sinner if you say this, if you think this. It is a defective psychic approach. And some people exploited this sinning complex of human beings and created so many differences, so many groups, so many diversities, in this human society which is actually a singular entity.” (9)

GOOD PEOPLE WILL STAY AWAY FROM EGO

“Ego is the root cause of downfall. If ego is present then downfall is inevitable. How is ego manifested in individual life? It expresses itself through superiority complex. I am great and everyone else is small, degraded, lowly. “I am superior” – this feeling or thought is called “superiority complex” in English and mahámanyatá in Sanskrit. Due to this sense of ego one behaves poorly with others. For this reason it is said in the scriptures: trińádapi suniicena. For example, a blade of grass remains underneath everyone. It has no ego, yet it possesses more qualities than anyone. Human beings should keep themselves aloof in every way from superiority complex and pride. Good people will stay away from ego. Why will they do so? Good people know what are the causes behind the rise of ego. One person has knowledge, another has money. A good person knows that this money and this knowledge is not theirs; it belongs to Parama Puruśa. Today it has come to me and again it will leave me. I had none of these when I was born and at the time of death they won’t remain with me. For this reason good people will stay away from ego.” (10)

THERE ARE MANY COMPLEXES THAT PLAGUE HUMAN BEINGS

People are prone to various complexes: superiority complex, inferiority complex, fear complex, defeatist complex, sinner’s complex, melancholia, phobia, schizophrenia, and shyness etc. Those who do not suffer from any of these are in a balanced state – samatabhava.

GAINING SUCCESS IN LIFE

We must also remember Baba’s timeless teaching: To do anything o successfully one must have a free mind – a balanced mind. The mind should be free from all complexes.

Baba says, “To attain complete success in life, the fourth principle is samata’bha’va, that is, mental equipoise, mental balance. There must not be any complex in the mind — neither superiority complex nor inferiority complex.” (11)

COMPLEXES ARE A PSYCHIC DISEASE

MENTAL EQUIPOISE IS A GREAT QUALITY

Here Baba furthermore points out the negative nature of complexes and He simultaneously directs us to keep samata’bha’va, mental balance.

Baba says, “Complex of any sort – superiority or inferiority – is a psychic malady, a mental disease. You must maintain a psychic balance.” (12)

Thus mental balance is one central target in life. We should aim for this in all circumstances. Once again, we should be vigilant to keep the mind balanced, by His grace. Psychic equipoise is one of the best attributes a person can have.

Baba says, “Maintaining a balanced mind is one of the greatest virtues. There are no complexes in a balanced mind. One neither feels inferior nor superior to others; one never fears anybody nor ever gets perturbed. One maintains a mental balance.” (2)

So by striving for and achieving mental balance, so many other plus points arise. The mind will be complex-free, enabling people to generate positive relations with one and all. Because when one does not feel that they are better or worse than the next person, then it becomes easy to establish a heart-felt connection. So that is one distinct benefit.

In addition, Baba tell us that when one is in a state of psychic equipoise, they will neither be fearful nor full of anxiety. They will remain in a natural state of ease and contentment – not burdened by any negative tendencies of the mind.

All these positive outcomes are a tremendous boon for human existence.

WHEN SAMATA’BHA’VA IS LOST

In contrast when due to lack of sadhana we are unable to attain a state of equipoise or if we lose that stance of mental balance, then that invites numerous problems for oneself and for others also.

In that case we are unable to weigh the pros and cons of life and end up making poor decisions – lowering our own position and misleading others as well.

For example suppose Ram or Shyam prematurely forms an opinion about others, a conclusion which is completely wrong or off-base. Then that invariably leads to problems and harms others. In that case, in the future nobody will want to listen to Ram or Shyam’s suggestions or guidelines. Then Ram or Shyam’s ability to help others will be severely hampered. Such pitfalls come from a lack of mental balance.

That is why – among other things – Baba warns to stay balanced and not proceed hastily.

As we can feel, Baba’s specific guideline is that with a cool mind – a balanced mind– we should view all the things in life, otherwise countless problems will crop up.

Considering all the angles, it is clear that keeping the mind free from all complexes is one key point because with a balanced mind we can help ourselves and help others. And that is the greatest utilisation of this human life. Hence as long as we are alive this should be our approach. Here following is Baba’s dharmic mandate.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “You should remain in this world and do your duty with a balanced mind.” (14)

HOW TO OVERCOME SUPERIORITY COMPLEX

Here Baba supplies us with the special formula for keeping mental balance and not succumbing to any type of superiority complex.

Baba says, “People must always bear in mind that ‘Whatever I have acquired is all by the grace of Parama Purus’a. If He decides that I should not possess wealth [or any other quality etc], He will take it away at any moment He wishes.’ So no one should feel pride about anything under any circumstances.” (15)

By seeing everything as Baba’s fathomless grace then we will not get puffed up with vanity and instead will be able to maintain mental
balance at all times.

HOW TO OVERCOME INFERIORITY COMPLEX

In His below teaching Baba teaches us how to keep mental balance and not fall into the depths of an inferiority complex.

Baba says, “What about the inferiority complex, that makes you think of yourself as inferior to others? You must have noticed that the minds of those who are less educated become a bit diffident: ‘We don’t have much learning.’ Again, those who are poor suffer from a similar diffidence. ‘We are so poor, and have no one to turn to.’ But what causes such diffidence? [They forget that] everyone on this earth is a child of Parama Purus’a; no one is big or small. All are related as brothers and sisters.” (16)

By remembering we are all the beautiful expressions of that Divine Entity Parama Purusa, then no inferiority complex can creep into the
mind. Then we will keep our mental balance.

THIS FEELING IS VERY DANGEROUS

Baba says, “When samata’bha’va [mental equipoise] is lost, then one begins feeling that there is a group of people far inferior to oneself. Such a pattern is to be observed in the case of people who have come to the city from the village. They say that they don’t feel like returning to the village, as the villagers are illiterate and under-developed. This feeling is very dangerous. And if such feelings creep into the mind as a result of having acquired a little intellectual knowledge, the chances of developing this complex are much greater in the realm of spirituality, when a sa’dhaka begins feeling somewhat elevated with the development of some occult powers and the feeling of a little bliss. In the second stage of spiritual practice every sa’dhaka faces this test. One must be very, very cautious, so that vanity may not develop.” (17)

BALANCED MIND NEEDED TO TEACH AND TO LEARN

Baba says, “The third fundamental of education is that teachers and students should have a balanced mind.” (18)

In His above teaching Baba guides us that mental balance is needed in order to both guide and learn from others.

BABA’S BLESSING

Baba says, “In this universe all entities are divine; only people have to realize it. Nobody is helpless or alone in this universe. We have mundane, supramundane and spiritual relationships with the universe. So it is the bounden duty of human beings to expand their mental arena because basically all finite entities have the inherent wont of universal pervasion. Their goal is the Supreme Entity who is free from limitations. Human beings will have to expand themselves so much that they will go beyond the fetters of limitations. There cannot be and should not be an inferiority or superiority complex in anybody. Those who preach individual racial superiority are committing sins. They are going against human dharma.” (19)

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Mahesh

Note 1: WESTERN PHILOSOPHY IS LAGGING FAR BEHIND

On this key and critical subject of mental complexes and achieving a balanced mind, western philosophy is far, far behind. Only Ananda Marga philosophy can shine such a bright light on this issue.

Namaskar,
Every parent wishes to raise a healthy, vibrant child who grows up to be physically able, mentally sharp, and spiritually awakened.

Yet, in nearly each and every land, community, and even family, concerned parents and / or social norms undermine the right and proper growth of the child.

The mind is our greatest treasure – and the child’s mind is so tender and impressionable – yet commonly a child’s mind is stricken by fears needlessly, which hamper their growth and development. Such undue fears ruin the psychic peace of the child, today and far into the future.

As parents, as well-wishers of society, as educators, and as sadhakas, we should all be critically aware of this issue.

FESTIVALS, FEAR, HALLOWEEN

In North America and parts of Europe, the holiday of Halloween is celebrated, generally around Oct 30, 31, & Nov 1. Kids dress up in scary costumes, participate in haunted houses, hear ghost stories, and engage in other fear-based activities. The underlying theme is fear.

Today’s filmmakers and authors play off a similar sentiment: excitement through fear. There is an entire corporate business model centered around this. All geared toward instilling the thrill of fear into the mind – in order to turn a profit.

There are so many ways that the entertainment industry and social festivals introduce the fear factor into a child’s mind: ghosts, serial killers, scary creatures from outer space, spooky noises, and in other ways. People even get a sort of sadistic happiness from scaring young kids. Fear gets imposed in so many ways.

As adults we may say, “What’s the big deal, they’re just kids, they’re having fun, let them be, they’ll grow up and understand the truth.”

But it is not like that. The human psyche and mind are very fragile. In various discourses, Baba points out when a child experiences fear then they are scared at that initial moment, and far into the future as well. When they are young and become scared, they suffer from paranoia, nightmares, and other psychic ailments such as crying out in the middle of the night, or being scared to walk alone even in daylight. All because the child was terrified. But it does not end there. That child’s mind will be riddled and encumbered by those unfounded fears for their entire life.

This happens to nearly everyone – to some or more degree.

Because the child thinks those monsters, ghosts, and goblins are real. For them it is not something imaginary or temporary. Children are unable remove those fears. Those fears – based on imposed false ideas – make a deep impression on the child’s psyche, and remain with them for ages and ages. That is Baba’s distinct warning.

Thus we should think a thousand times before exposing our children to horror films, ghost stories, and even seemingly innocuous, kid-centered festivals like Halloween. All these things are bound to burden, or even ruin, a child’s psyche.

LIFELONG PROBLEMS

The accumulation of fears debilitates the human mind – not just in youth but lifelong. Baba tells us that fear – caused by family, social and religious dogmas – will stick with a person for life.

A person may suffer from a lack of courage and become afraid of the dark – forever, far into their adult years. Or a person may not even like to remain in the house alone, even as an adult.

And not only that, but due to imposed fear, a person suffer from a low self-esteem and lack the necessary courage to confidently answer questions in a job interview. Before the interview they may even hide in the bathroom – too scared to walk inside. This is not just a matter of being nervous, rather a deep-seated fear that shakes their bones.

Thus the fears that get imposed on a child’s psyche are baggage they carry for life – in all sorts of shape and sizes, in all kinds of ways. They suffer as a child and become permanently shackled and never grow properly. So we should be extremely careful never to impose such fears on a child.

YOU WILL SEE A GHOST

Here Baba scientifically shows how the fear complex takes root in the human mind and becomes part of a person’s living reality.

Baba says, “Suppose in daytime you are in a lonely place. It may or may not be a lonely place. Suppose in daytime you are alone in a big house, and some people told you that there is a ghost – “Ghost… ghost… ghost.” You heard it. The acoustic wave touched your mind, touched the subconscious portion of your mind, and after that you are told, “You know, Mr. X, there is a ghost in this house.” And you are Mr. X. “There is a ghost in this house.” All the nerve fibres fail to function. What will happen then? Just touch the conscious level of your mind, and as an extro-objective creation, as an external reflection of your very ectoplasmic stuff, you will see a ghost. And what sort of ghost will you see? The description of a ghost that you read in your books or you heard from your granny, “A ghost is like this.” In broad daylight you will see the ghost.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam-12)

Thus what to speak of even small children, an adult’s mind can also be polluted by fear such that those false and imagined fears come to life for them.

Namaskar,
Liila

Note 1: BABA SOUND FILE

At the top of the left side-bar of the blogsite, http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/, there is an audio file titled, “Baba’s Warning About Infusing Fear in Children”. Please visit the site and listen to it. Here is the transcription and translation of that sound file.

Hatred, doubt, fear are sin. When you were small, you did not hate anybody. After that your neighbors, friends and family members taught you, “This is what hate is, don’t do such a thing.” They taught you fear, they taught you shyness, and in the end those interactions stained your mind in that color. The small babe did not want to drink the milk. So in order to get the baby to drink the milk, the family members said, “Look a ghost is on the palm tree – it will come and get you if you do not drink your milk.” So you drank the milk out of fear of being caught by the ghost. After many years, when you were no longer two, but became twenty-two years of age, that mental ghost still existed in your mind. From time to time in your dreams you will still see that ghost. In consequence, while remaining in a lonely place your heart will become startled and frozen due to fear of that ghost. What is this? Imposed bondage. This type of bondage or these bondages are known as pa’shas.

Note 2: MUST NOT INJECT FEAR COMPLEXES

Remember, one should not inject any type of fear complex into the child’s mind, otherwise that youth will suffer from that fear complex their entire life – to varying degrees. That will be very bad. Instead of being brave and strong, that child will be meek, frightened, and cowardly.

As Ananda Margiis, we should follow Guru’s teaching and never inject any type of fear complex on our young ones. We should seek out entertainment that is based on tales of bravery – not the imposition of fear.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tumi saba’r bha’loba’sa’ peyecho…” (P.S. 1383)

Purport:

Baba, everyone loves You. And You receive everyone’s heartfelt love. You look upon all in the same way; You view everyone equally – with no differentiation. You always think about everyone’s all-round welfare. You are concerned with one and all; everyone is Yours.

In the burning heat when life is becoming unbearable, You shower us with Your grace. You take away all our pains and sufferings. Baba, You are ever-gracious. When the heart starts bleeding due to the repeated blows of different negative samskaras from the present, past, and future, then You saturate those suffering hearts with the divine nectar of Your love. In that way, You graciously take away all the problems in the showering of Your divine compassion. On the dark amavasya night when it is pouring rain all around, even in that hour You bring effulgence through the medium of the firefly. Like this, You provide the solution to each and every situation. It is Your grace.

Baba, You love all and You know how to love. You give utmost importance to human life. And everyone is looking towards the path of Your arrival. Those who are crying and suffering, You have given them shelter at Your lotus feet. Baba, You are granting boons and blessings to everyone. You are grace personified…

PS Intro: This below song reflects that deeply spiritual truth how
Parama Purusa is always graciously calling the jiivas towards His divine
Self through His eternal sound of omnkara– His murali dhvani, the
divine sound of Cosmic Consciousness.

“Tumi je d’ekecho a’ma’y, a’ja je ghare tha’ka’ da’y…” (PS 736)

Purport:

Baba, it is impossible for me to remain here in my house because by Your
grace You have called me to come close to You. Baba, I want to respond
to Your gracious call. Baba, it is difficult to comprehend how
wonderfully magical Your tunes and melodies are. Baba, You are so
charming. Baba, in the abode of my mind the divine vibrations of Your
flute resonate incessantly– ceaselessly. By Your grace I hear Your
flute always: While sleeping, in my dreams, and in my awakened state.
Baba, You are so gracious; You are residing in my heart all the time,
all the 24hrs. Baba, even if I want to forget You, how can I forget You.
Baba, Your greatness is beyond conception. No matter how many octaves I
know, You are remaining beyond them all. You are beyond the reach of my
limited human capacity. Baba, by Your grace the resonance of Your divine
flute makes me float beyond all the lokas in Your rhythm, in Your song,
and in Your blissful melodies. Baba, O’ Divine Entity, please give me
shelter at Your lotus feet…

== DO NOT DESTROY THE PSYCHE OF YOUR CHILD ==

Namaskar,
Every parent wishes to raise a healthy, vibrant child who grows up to be
physically able, mentally sharp, and spiritually awakened.

Yet, in nearly each and every land, community, and even family,
concerned parents and / or social norms undermine the right and proper
growth of the child.

Our mind is our greatest treasure – and the child’s mind is so tender
and impressionable – yet commonly a child’s mind is stricken by fears
needlessly, which hamper their growth and development. Such undue fears
ruin the psychic peace of the child, today and far into the future.

As parents, as well-wishers of society, as educators, and as sadhakas,
we should all be critically aware of this issue.

FESTIVALS, FEAR, HALLOWEEN & SO MUCH MORE

In the US and parts of Europe, the holiday of Halloween was recently
celebrated. Kids dress up in scary costumes, participate in haunted
houses, hear ghost stories, and so much more happens. The underlying
element is fear.

Plus today’s filmmakers and authors play off a similar sentiment:
excitement through fear. There is an entire corporate business model
centered around this. All geared toward instilling the thrill of fear
into the mind – in order to turn a profit.

There are so many ways that the entertainment industry and social
festivals introduce the fear factor into a child’s mind: ghosts, serial
killers, scary creatures from outer space, spooky noises, and so much
more. People even get a sort of sadistic happiness from scaring young
kids. Fear gets imposed in so many ways.

As adults we may say, “What’s the big deal, they’re just kids, they’re
having fun, let them be, they’ll grow up and understand the truth.”

But it is not like that. The human psyche and mind are very fragile. In
so many discourses Baba points out that the child’s mind will be riddled
and encumbered by those unfounded fears for their entire life.

Because the child thinks those monsters, ghosts, and goblins are real.
For them it is not something imaginary or temporary. Children do not
employ a rational mind-set to remove those fears. Those fears – based on
imposed false ideas – remain with them for ages and ages. That is Baba’s
distinct warning.

Thus we should think a thousand times before exposing our children to
horror films, ghost stories, and even seemingly innocuous, kid-centered
festivals like Halloween. All these things are bound to burden, or even
ruin, a child’s psyche.

ORDINARY FAMILIES IMPOSE

SCARE TACTICS AS DISCIPLINE

Even then, the problem stems deeper than this. It is not just the
entertainment business and common social festivals that are at fault.

In His Ananda Vacanamrtam series, Baba discusses and points out specific
examples where families and caretakers use a fear complex as a means to
control or discipline children.

For instance, if the kids are playing and making too much noise when it
is their bed time, then a parent or caretaker may say, “If you do not go
to sleep this instant, then monsters will come and attack you.”

Or they may say, “Naughty children are bound to get eaten by goblins.”

Some even exclaim, “If you do not behave, Satan will punish you forever.”

Baba also cites the examples how grandmothers tell disobedient children
that, “Ghosts will come and strangle you if you do not sit still.”

In His Jan 1 1986 discourse in Kolkata, “Existential Flow & Its Culminating
Point”, Baba reveals how fear is often an imposed bondage by one’s own family
members. If a baby is not eating its meal, then the grandmother tries to put
fear in that child’s mind. The grandma terrorizes the baby by saying, “If
you do not eat then a ghost will come and swallow you. So sit down and eat
and do not runaround.” Then when that child grows to 22yrs of age, he still
has nightmares about a goblin coming and sitting on his chest. Baba explains
this clearly in His discourse, but unfortunately this section was neither
transcribed in the Bangla edition nor translated into English. It was missed
entirely. And again this further shows how one’s own family members impose
life-long fear complexes by their threats etc.

To some or more degree such imposed fear complexes are used in countless
families around the world. It is a cheap, misguided parenting technique
that happens nearly pervasively. We may all even think back to our own
childhoods and remember hearing such things.

The parent or caregiver naively thinks that the problem is solved. They
think that the child has started to behave properly or that the child
stopped making noise. So the parent thinks that the fear technique is a
veritable method for discipling a child.

In the short term it may look like that.

But the overarching long-term effects are disastrous. There is a breach
of trust and even more than that the child’s mind is permanently scarred
by that fear. It cannot be removed easily. That fear sits in their mind
for ages and may even carry over into their next life. That is the depth
to which the imposed fear invades their psyche.

So such unfounded fears that get imposed on a child’s mind become
psychic baggage for the long haul. And we will discuss more about this
below.

MULTIPLIES ONE’S FEARS

Here is one other key point to the discussion.

Bhaya, or fear, is one of the four basic propensities of each and every
human being. This sense of fear is actually a survival instinct. Animals
have it; humans have it. So we already have a sense of fear built into
our human personality.

But that innate sense of fear is based on reality. Animals are fearful
of their predators so they run away from safety. The fear is real and
that fear preserves their existence.

Humans also have real fears. “I am too scared to jump off of this
bridge”; “I am scared and do not want to grab the snake; “I am too
scared to walk into the fire; “I am scared about death.”

Here the point is that the fundamental fear vrtti is already part of our
mental constitution – it is a base instinct, not something noble or divine.

So then to impose false fears on the human psyche is just burdening us
further. It multiplies that sense of fear which already haunts the human
personality. Because already we are fearful about real events, and then
as children we become frightened by so many false or imaginary things as
well.

It just multiplies the sense of fear and that is not good.

LIFELONG PROBLEMS

The accumulation of fears debilitates the human mind – not just in our
youth but lifelong. Baba tells us that fear – caused by family, social
and religious dogmas – will stick with a person for life.

A person may suffer from a lack of courage and become permanently afraid
of the dark. Or a person may not even like to remain in the house alone
even as an adult.

And not only that, but a person may be even lack the necessary courage
to confidently answer questions in a job interview. Before the interview
they may even be hiding in the bathroom – too scared to walk inside.
This is not just a question of normal nervousness, but rather a deep
seated fear that shakes their bones.

Thus the fears that get imposed on a child’s psyche are baggage they
carry for life – in all sorts of shape and sizes, in all kinds of ways.
They will be permanently shackled and will never grow properly. So we
should be a thousand times careful never to impose such fears on a child.

BABA SAYS:

YOU WILL SEE A GHOST

Here Baba scientifically shows how the fear complex takes root in the
human mind and becomes part of a person’s living reality.

Baba says, “Suppose in daytime you are in a lonely place. It may or may
not be a lonely place. Suppose in daytime you are alone in a big house,
and some people told you that there is a ghost – “Ghost… ghost… ghost.”
You heard it. The acoustic wave touched your mind, touched the
subconscious portion of your mind, and after that you are told, “You
know, Mr. X, there is a ghost in this house.” And you are Mr. X. “There
is a ghost in this house.” All the nerve fibres fail to function. What
will happen then? Just touch the conscious level of your mind, and as an
extro-objective creation, as an external reflection of your very
ectoplasmic stuff, you will see a ghost. And what sort of ghost will you
see? The description of a ghost that you read in your books or you heard
from your granny, “A ghost is like this.” In broad daylight you will see
the ghost.” (AV-12)

Thus what to speak of even small children, an adult’s mind can also be
polluted by fear such that those false and imagined fears come to life
for them.

Here below Baba further explains the nature of this phenomenon.

Baba says, “You are the witnessing entity, you are the seer of the
ghost, and a certain compartment of your mind went outside as an
external projection and took the form of the ghost, that is, the very
structure of the ghost is ectoplasmic in nature and that ectoplasm came
from your source. You are the creator of that ghost. Actually there is
no ghost. But you will see many a respectable man who will say, “Yes, I
have seen it! Yes, I have seen it!” He is not incorrect in saying this.
He saw it, but the ghost was of his creation. It was an outer or
external objective reflection, or external objective projection, or
external positive hallucination.” (AV-12)

So the human mind is very fragile and subject to all kinds of fears –
even false ones that we hear in the form of ghost stories, etc.

No one should take this point lightly and think that scaring children is
just one momentary incident. Any and all fear has a huge impact on their
psyche. They can become crippled for life. We should all pay heed. That
is Baba’s warning.

SOLUTION:

CREATING A FEARLESS MIND

By Baba’s grace He has given us – at minimum – two pathways for creating
a fearless mindset.

1. We must not pollute the minds of children by imposing fear sentiments.

Baba says, “It is important that these lullabys should convey the
inspiration for the development of heroism and knowledge, but there
should be no frightening ideas in them.” (PNS-10)

Thus our stories, films, festivals, disciplinary tactics, tales,
holidays should be totally devoid of scary thoughts and images. Children
should feel safe, secure, and loved – never burdened by any imposed or
false fear.

That is the first method for raising a healthy child.

2) The second method is to read Baba’s short stories wherein He has
graciously written various ghost stories where those ghosts are friendly
and helpful. Sometimes the ghost sweetly drapes a mosquito net over a
sleeping person so that they will be more comfortable. Or the ghost will
bring a glass of water or offer shelter to a needy person. Basically, in
so many of His stories, ghosts and other creatures are quite friendly
and philanthropic. This helps create a positive mind-set wherein one
will not fall prey to dogmatic fears about ghosts.

Today’s filmmakers and story writers should also follow this path.

This is a second method for raising children free of fear complexes.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, we should be 100% wary of introducing false fears into
the mind-set of our children. Thus we must re-evaluate occasions like
Halloween and and be cent per cent certain that our children are never
exposed to fear tactics as as form of discipline. With the gift of a
safe and happy childhood, that young one will grow up and live a
courageous and dharmic life.

Baba says, “So one must move along the path of satya and one must have
the satya as one’s only desideratum. And this is the only path, this is
the path of fearlessness; that is, there is no fear in it, nothing to be
afraid of.” (AV-2)

Baba says, “Whatever I get, that I will eat” – this must not be the
policy of a sane being. This human body is a composite of protoplasmic
cells, and these protoplasmic cells are made of the food we take in. If
the food and drink is defective, then the protoplasmic cells will also
become defective, and the human mind, which is the collective mind of so
many protoplasmic minds, will also become defective. That is why
ta’masik or static food has a negative influence on the human mind.”
(SS-18, p.3)

Namaskar,
Recently one respected Dada wrote in with some concerns about the
letter, “Ghosts Exist: Keshavanandji says”. Their letter is appended
below for your review. But their basic premise is that the fear of a
ghost is the same as the fear as snake and that what Dadaji has written
in his book is fine.

Here following is a point by point reply:

1a) The fear of a snake is a real fear; it is founded; snakes exist in
this world and can bite you.

1b) The fear of a ghost is totally false – dogma. That fear is unfounded
as ghosts do not exist. So one cannot equate having a fear of snakes
with having a fear of ghosts. It is not at all the same thing.

Note: There are some who have a general fear of spiders, rats, insects
etc, and but that fear is not the same as “ghosts”. Insects and rats
exists whereas ghosts do not.

2a) Snakes can be controlled; they are a known entity. If one is bitten
then they should be taken to the hospital for treatment.

2b) Ghosts cannot be controlled; they are an unknown entity. Ghosts can
fly, they can eat you; and there is no standard, logical process to get
treatment for treating an attack by a ghost.

3a) Baba does not say that snakes do not exist. He readily states that
snakes exist so to write a Baba story about the fear of snakes is not
contradictory.

3b) Baba does say that ghosts do not exist. He outrightly denies the
existence of ghosts in His teachings so to write a Baba story about the
fear of snakes is contradictory. If someone claims that Baba said that
ghosts exist, then that is totally wrong. One is propagating something
that Baba never told nor supports. It is similar to someone claiming
that Baba says that Ananda Margiis should smoke tobacco and drink alcohol.

4a) Snakes only exist in certain limited environments – they do not roam
anywhere and everywhere. They do not live in cold regions etc

4b) So-called Ghosts can go anywhere and get you anytime – they are not
limited in any way. Their domain has no bounds.

5) At present around the globe – from poor countries to rich countries –
people suffer from the mental disease of fear of ghosts. In some places
it is very disastrous and other places it is more controlled. In the
last one century alone, tens of thousands of innocent people have been
brutally tortured and killed after being branded as being captivated by
ghosts.

The fear of ghosts is especially high in tribal communities such as in
Africa etc. Certain populations strongly believe in the existence of
ghosts. They are totally submerged in this dogma. And in places like
Nigeria (Africa), if any bad thing happens to a family then the local
Christian priest will say that it was caused by one of the children who
is a ghost. They will then do all kinds of torturous things to that
innocent child: put nails in their head, pour boiling water on them, and
so many other painful things. All because that poor child has been
branded as a ghost.

This fear of ghosts leads people to commit so much harm. It has even
become a big business in Africa wherein priests are charging huge money
to rid families of ghosts. For more about this read:

Thus in no way shape or form should we as Ananda Margiis contribute to
such atrocities by encouraging this false, dogmatic fear of ghosts. Nor
should we present to the public that Baba and AM supports the existence
of ghosts.

6) If Dada Keshavananda had written that the so-called ghost is just
product of one’s own imagination and that Baba has given the medicine to
fix this psychic fear, then that would have been fine. But Dadaji writes
as if ghosts really exist and that this claim is supported by Ananda
Marga and Baba.

It should have be stated as follows: If one does sadhana and repeats
their mantra then they will be cured of their psychic disease of seeing
ghosts via their own imagination.

Here is Dadaji’s letter which was written in reply to the initial posting (i.e. note 1).

On 07/23/2010 09:03 PM, Dadaji wrote:

> Namaskar
>
> It is relative on how you perceive the story.
>
> There is a person, who had problem “capture by ghost” and the margii
> help using Baba’s technique this free that person from Ghost problem.
> For me it does not give indication that ghosts exist.
>
> Like someone afraid of snake, but there was no snake. There was a rope
> coil like snake, and one margii free that person from fear of snake
> by telling him that here is no snake but rope.
>
> Freeing someone “fear for snake – which is rope coiled like snake”
> does not mean we also mis-perceive the rope as snake!
>
> Freeing someone from Ghost fear, does not mean we believed in ghost!
>
> Namaskar
> Dada
>
>
>

Intro to PS: This following song is unique in its own special way. Here
Baba, in an indirect manner, is talking to the devotee and consoling him
about his situation.

“Jale bhara’ a’nkhi yadio toma’r…” (P.S. 1445)

Purport:

O’ my dear, I can see that Your eyes are filled with tears. Please tell
me why you are so sad– such that You could not even manage to attend to
your basic duties. Which divine Entity came and stole Your heart. He
left, took away Your heart, and He did not return. Who is that who did
that to you.

Even then please don’t cry, that very divine Entity will come again. No
doubt He left you alone and He went off to some far distant place. And
He does not come close these days. But that type of strength He does not
have that He can keep Himself away forever. Yes, He keeps Himself
distant from You; but your love He has not forgotten nor can He ever
forget. He will surely come again.

O’ my dear, please tell me why you are so sad. Who has stolen Your
heart; in whose longing are you crying. That Ajana Pathik, that divine
Entity loves You very much, you should know…

== GHOSTS EXIST: KESHAVANANDJI SAYS ==

Namaskar,
In His recently published book, “My Mysterious Baba”, (2010, Hindi) Dada
Keshavanandaji shares many unique and devotional stories; efforts should
be made to get this book translated into various languages for sadhakas
around the globe.

Unfortunately, there are some critical errors in the book.

For instance in one story (pp. 11-12), Keshavananda puts forth the idea
that Baba actually told that ghosts exist. Dadaji’s account leads in
that direction, when in fact throughout His philosophical teachings,
Baba has clearly denounced the phenomenon of ghosts. Such an erroneous
claim has numerous ramifications.

Here then we should set the record straight, lest anyone get confused or
get the wrong idea.

FOR THE RECORD

In the preface to His book, “Strange Experiences”, Baba clearly tells
that He does not believe in ghosts and refutes their existence entirely.

Baba says, “Let me state at the very outset that I am not a believer in
ghosts and spirits, demons and devils, or heaven and hell, because I
have found no logic behind their existence. I know that whether ghosts
and spirits or demons and devils, everything which bears the imprint of
the supernatural is only the play of the mind. The appearance and
disappearance of such things takes place in the various kos’as [layers]
of the mind due to variations or possible variations in physical or
mental circumstances.” (Strange Experiences, ‘Preface’)

In His above teaching, Baba further explains that the entire “ghost”
phenomenon occurs within one’s own psyche. As Baba says, it is just a
“play of [one’s own] mind”.

Then in the Q & A discourse, “Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga
Philosophy – Section B”, Baba directly asks and answers this question
about ghosts.

“Q. 56 Do ghosts really exist?”

“Ans.: – Those strange figures which we call ghosts are mainly figments
of the imagination. When the mind is in a weak or vulnerable state, what
was previously created in the imagination now appears to be real.” (TK-3)

So in the above query, Baba tells that not only are ghosts imagined by
one’s own mind but that such so-called apparitions tend to occur with
unit minds that are “weak” and “vulnerable”.

And finally, Baba issues this most conclusive statement.

Baba says, “Ghosts do not exist.” (SS-4)

Thus under no circumstances should anyone be led to believe or think
that Baba or His philosophy supports the existence of ghosts.

WHAT KESHAVANANDA WROTE

In his book however, Keshavananda Dada presents the topic in a totally
different manner: Dadaji writes as if both Baba and AM philosophy preach
the existence of ghosts.

In the chapter, “Parama Purus’a Ma’khan Chor” (Parama Purusa is a Butter
Thief), Dada recounts the scene from a 1964 Ranchi DMC where Baba is
talking about the powers of sadhana and how to cure an obsessed person.
Thereafter, Dada narrates how one attendee of that DMC, Nanda Kishor,
returns back to his village and uses Baba’s stated strategy to free
someone who had been captured by ghosts. Local priests had not been able
to save the person, but now our margii brother enters the scene and gets
rid of the ghost.

Thus from Dada’s written account, it looks as though at DMC Baba is
giving credence to the existence of ghosts as well as supplying the
technique to combat them.

Yet we all know Baba says that there is no such thing as ghosts.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO CORRECT DADAJI’S BOOK

There are a number of reasons why it is important for Dadaji’s book to
be corrected:

1) Many or most are aware that Dada Keshavananda served as Personal
Assistant (PA) to Baba for many years. Thus readers will place great
trust in Dada’s words and stories. They will honor his account as
something very special since he spent so much time with Baba. Innocently
they may conclude that if PA Dada is telling that Baba gave the recipe
to get of rid ghosts, then certainly ghosts exist.

2) Most people in the society do not study philosophy – that includes
those within and without of the Marga. Instead people get most of their
information from personal experiences, stories, and human interactions.
Hence, even though Baba has stated very clearly in His teachings that
ghosts do not exist, that domain of knowledge is not accessible to most
people. Instead they will form their ideas based on stories like that of
PA Dada. Thus it is very critical that such stories are written properly
and put forth the right teaching – otherwise readers will be led astray.

In the first phase they may simply believe in ghosts; in the second
phase they will start making ritualistic offerings to please those
so-called ghosts; finally in the third phase, they will start forming
businesses based on the existence of ghosts.

3) So many around the globe already believe in ghosts – in some form or
another. Indeed most are absolutely terrified of them. In some corner of
their mind or more, people are afraid. That is why they are scared to
walk in the dark or fearful of entering into an empty house. They may or
may not wish to admit this publicly, but many, many people suffer from a
fear of ghosts.

From the most simple, rural communities to the most technologically
advanced places on earth – and all points in between – there is a long
history of ghosts, haunted houses, witches, goblins, and all kinds of
apparitions that people label as being ghosts. Even in advanced land of
the US, there is a day dedicated to acknowledge ghosts known as
Halloween. On this day, children’s subconscious fear of ghosts is born
and this phobia will remain with them their entire life. This leads to
so many problems and unfounded fears etc.

The rational teachings of AM have been given to dispel these fears and
myths – not legitimize them. So this a very key point for why Dada’s
book needs correction. Stories about Baba should not serve to reinforce
crude and harmful dogmas – like the existence of ghosts – that plague
humanity.

4) The next problem is that readers from the public – and maybe even new
people in the Marga – will think that Baba’s teachings are full of holes
and self-contradictory. People will think our AM shastras are no
different from the Bible, Koran or puranas. Those so-called holy texts
are full of self-contradictions and now our AM books fall in that same
category. In some places it is stated that ghosts exist and in others
the existence of ghosts is refuted. This type of rampant hypocrisy
should not be present in our AM books. Yet because of the way Dadaji has
written his story. i.e. legitimizing the existence of ghosts using
Baba’s name, that is the unfortunate direction things are headed. In
that case, the general populace will think that AM is just a repeat of
the dogmatic religions.

5) All in all, Dadaji’s book of Baba stories is very good and it would
be a shame for a few weak points to undermine the entire book. Rather,
those weaker elements should be corrected. That would be ideal. But in
truth, the reprinting of AM books hardly ever happens – and when it does
it can be years and even decades later. After all it took 20yrs to write
this book so who knows when a reprinting is going to happen. Best then
is to simply tear out those wrong pages entirely. Or one can use a thick
black marker to cover up those wrong stories, or use a scissors and cut
those pages out of the book. That is the best way to remedy the
situation under the current circumstances.

The main thing is that we should not spread those wrong teachings; other
sadhakas and members of the public should not get exposed to those
mistaken ideas. That will only lead to confusion and more problems. That
is why it is absolutely necessary to tear, cut, rip, or cross out those
pages from the book. In no place should the existence of ghosts be
affirmed.

And of course when a proper reprinting of the book is done, then
sadhakas of the Marga should get the opportunity to delight in reading
Dada’s book in its entirety – and get the proper teaching that ghosts do
not exist. Dadaji can include that very same story, he should just
recount it in a different way and not say that this phenomenon was a
ghost. A good editor and learned sadhaka can easily make the story flow
properly and project the right ideological teaching.

WARNING: DO NOT IGNORE

If we ignore this problem then the purity of our AM teachings will be
lost. Baba has given something yet because of false elaborations, people
are doing something else – like fearing ghosts, worshiping them, or so
many other nonsense things. You may be thinking that this is an
impossibility, but this is the very way the a path gets degraded. Little
by little the teachings are misinterpreted or wrongly presented, then
people start following those wrong things and finally the path itself is
tainted. It is not a far off possibility, rather this routinely happens.
We should not let our Marga meet this same awful fate. We should be
vigilant.

MORE OF BABA’S TEACHINGS

In order to make the point perfectly clear and to ensure all sadhakas
have access to Baba’s exact words, here are more of Baba’s refutations
about the existence of ghosts.

In this first teaching Baba is contrasting the projection of Cosmic Mind
with that of unit mind wherein He furthermore states that ghosts are
merely a creation of the unit mind (i.e. one’s imagination) and are not
part of this practical world.

Let’s examine it this way: If people start thinking in their own mind
that there is a ghost which has a big tooth and eats people then because
of that repeated way of thinking in their subconscious mind, that
dogmatic idea overpowers their conscious mind. It is just like when we
dream – then during sleep that dream appears to be real. Similarly, in
an awakened stated, when the subconscious mind controls the conscious
mind, then the thought of a ghost becomes real. That is the idea Baba is
conveying in His below teaching.

Baba says, “You know, philosophically, whatever we see in this universe
is, we may say, a positive hallucination created by the Supreme
Consciousness (Parama Purus’a). Whatever He thinks is seen by the nerve
cells of the individual mind. The difference between this practical
world and ghosts is that in the case of ghosts the suggestion comes from
the individual mind; one’s own thought is projected outside.” (YP)

In this next guideline, Baba scientifically explains how due to
glandular defects one will suffer from various psychic hallucinations
like ghosts. Although people see ghosts due to their own defective
psychic imagination, but in some rare cases that imagination is caused
by their physical deficiency. In the following paragraph Baba explains
how this happens.

Baba says, “If there is under-secretion of the hormones from the
prostate gland, a person will develop a fearful nature and suffer from
psychic hallucinations. One may even see a ghost in broad daylight.
Under-secretion, or low secretion, from the prostate gland creates this
psychology.” (YP)

Finally, Baba states that the existence of ghosts is utterly “baseless”.

Baba says, “When people say that there is a ghost in such-and-such tree,
it is totally baseless.” (Karma Yoga)

BABA’S LUCID EXPLANATION ON SEEING GHOSTS

How is it then that people claim to see ghosts? The following is Baba’s
beautiful explanation for how people get obsessed by their own personal,
defective thoughts. Tragically, they end up seeing the things which do
not exist, such as ghosts – all because of their faulty thinking.

Baba says “Suppose in daytime you are in a lonely place. It may or may
not be a lonely place. Suppose in daytime you are alone in a big house,
and some people told you that there is a ghost – ghost…ghost.” You heard
it. The acoustic wave touched your mind, touched the subconscious
portion of your mind, and after that you are told, “You know, Mr. X,
there is a ghost in this house.” And you are Mr. X. “There is a ghost in
this house.” All the nerve fibres fail to function. What will happen
then? Just touch the conscious level of your mind, and as an
extro-objective creation, as an external reflection of your very
ectoplasmic stuff, you will see a ghost. And what sort of ghost will you
see? The description of a ghost that you read in your books or you heard
from your granny, “A ghost is like this.” In broad daylight you will see
the ghost.” (AV-12)

RECIPE FOR A HEALTHY MIND:

FREE OF ALL FEARS AND DOGMAS

Those who do kiirtan and sadhana regularly have a healthy mind. In that
case their conscious mind, subconscious mind and unconscious mind
function well. Such persons will not be able to see ghosts because their
mind is not defective. As Baba states, ghost only exist for weak-minded
people, i.e. those whose thought processes are not proper. Their mind is
filled with all kinds of complexes and dogmas etc. In that case most
certainly they will suffer from psychic disease like ghosts. The only
way to save yourself is to do sadhana and kiirtan etc.

Unfortunately, in the west health care professionals do not know how to
treat those with an imbalanced mind, so they administer drugs to them
but that only creates another type of problem. In that case patients can
imagine that some dark soul is commanding me. In the west, psychiatric
institutions are filled with people suffering from this very problem –
and this is prevalent everywhere. And the root cause is a faulty
thinking and the mistreatment thereof.

Again the main solution is to clean the subconscious mind by feeding it
dharmic ideas – not crude dogmas. Then the person will develop right
thinking and a healthy outlook. For this, sadhana and 16 Points is
needed, not drugs.

BABA’S POINTED APPROACH

All in all, through the vast gamut of His teachings, Baba employs this
main teaching for ridding people of their irrational fear of ghosts. In
His discourses He refutes their existence by explaining that ghosts are
merely a play of one’s own mind or a figment of the imagination. In this
context, Baba references topics like the philosophy of mind and
bio-psychology etc. We should all have a clear understanding about this.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has given all the teachings to guide the humanity
onto the path of truth, including dispelling people of their unfounded
fears of “ghosts”. All the books that margiis and acaryas write should
complement Baba’s teachings – not contradict them.

On the whole, most of the stories in Dada Keshavananda’s book are fine,
but some have critical mistakes – especially this one about ghosts. We
should not ignore this matter, rather we should resolve it. Those who
have the book should tear out those wrong pages so others do not read
them and get misguided.

Also please communicate directly with Dadaji. Those unsold books should
be blackened out with a marker on those pages that are incorrect.

Please understand I have great regard for Dadaji; he has written some
beautiful stories. In that case the wrong pages are like one drop of
urine in a delicious platter of food – that drop will ruin the whole
thing. Except for a few pages here and there, the book is otherwise fine.

We must remember that Dadaji wrote this book to glorify Baba but he is
moving in the opposite direction – especially in these critical
mistakes. After reading please kindly forward this letter to Dadaji.

When our books are proper and when one does proper sadhana, one will
have a balanced mind – free from all kinds of fear and complexes. That
is Baba’s special blessing.

Baba says, “Maintaining a balanced mind is one of the greatest virtues.
There are no complexes in a balanced mind. One neither feels inferior
nor superior to others; one never fears anybody nor ever gets perturbed.
One maintains a mental balance.” (AV-5)

Namaskar,
Manjit

Note 1: ANOTHER MISTAKE IN THE SAME BOOK

Some weeks ago (28-06-10) this below letter was posted wherein
Keshavananda misunderstands Baba and wrongly attests that the god of
death can make mistakes and take the wrong person by accident:

Some people due to their defective thought process think that they
themselves are ghosts. With their weak mind this happens – especially
with females. Baba explains below.

Baba says, “When a dream-object, an object of imagination, seems to be
absolutely real, in such cases there is also a marked change in the
personality also. Being obsessed with ghosts is a case in point. People
who are obsessed with ghosts think that they have become the ghost.
Being possessed by spirits is yet another case of this type: the
affected persons think of themselves as a deity. Now, in order to free
their minds from the thought of ghosts, one will have to induce a
traumatic jolt in their bodies; one will have to create some sort of
frightful circumstance that will startle them. Various methods may be
used for this purpose, after which they will realize their error: that
they wrongly identified themselves with their mental objects.” (AFPS-7)

Note 3: THE FULL Q & A

Here is Baba’s full Q & A about the (non) existence of ghosts. Those who
do not have the book can reference that passage below.

“Q. 56 Do ghosts really exist?”

“Ans.: – Those strange figures which we call ghosts are mainly figments
of the imagination. When the mind is in a weak or vulnerable state, what
was previously created in the imagination now appears to be real.”

“In a dream, due to the dormant state of ka’mamaya kos’a, the
thought-vibrations of manomaya kos’a appear real (this we call a dream
when we wake up). When, due to extreme fear, stupefaction, crudity, or
an excessive expression of any ripu or pa’sha, the ka’mamaya becomes
temporarily suspended in the next higher kos’a and the imagined objects
appear real. This is also the case when a person sees various gods and
goddesses. Psychologically, seeing a ghost, god or goddess is the same
thing; none of them actually exist.”

“When hypnotized by someone, a person starts perceiving things as per
the commands of the hypnotist. In this state, when the ka’mamaya is
dormant a person feels that his imagined objects are real. Often,
weak-minded people see ghosts, gods or goddesses of relatives. Such
visions are auto- or outer-positive-hallucinations. Conversely, when
people declare the absence of things which are actually present, it is
called auto- or outer-negative-hallucination.”

“This clarifies that those who emphatically claim that they have seen
ghosts are not wrong. It is due to the illusions of the negative or
positive hallucinations that they see these things.”

“It is also possible for the mental ectoplasm of a strong willed person
to force a body-less soul to inhabit a body according to its sam’ska’ra
and thus create a ghost. The existence of that so-called ghost depends
upon the person’s whims and desires. This type of ghost is not the same
as the commonly known ghost. To force a soul to inhabit a body by
utilizing one’s mental ectoplasm (citta) is a very bad thing and good
people will not do such things simply to show someone a ghost.”

“Those who think that ghosts appear periodically with the help of their
own ectoplasms to fulfill their desires or to express themselves are
wrong. In fact, the ghost is created out of their mental ectoplasm and
does not have an independent soul. The soul of the person whose
ectoplasm created the ghost is also the witnessing entity of the ghost.”
(TK-3)